BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq's government, seeking protection against foreign threats and internal coups, will offer the U.S. a long-term troop presence in Iraq in return for U.S. security guarantees as part of a strategic partnership, two Iraqi officials said Monday.
The proposal, described to the Associated Press by two senior Iraqi officials familiar with the issue, is one of the first indications that the United States and Iraq are beginning to explore what their relationship might look like once the U.S. significantly draws down its troop presence.

In Washington, President Bush's adviser on the Iraqi war, Lt. Gen. Douglas Lute, confirmed the proposal, calling it "a set of principles from which to begin formal negotiations."

As part of the package, the Iraqis want an end to the current U.N.-mandated multinational forces mission, and also an end to all U.N.-ordered restrictions on Iraq's sovereignty.

In a televised address Monday, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said his government will ask the U.N. to renew the mandate for the multinational force for one final time, with its authorization to end in 2008. He insisted that the U.N. remove all restrictions on Iraqi sovereignty.

WELL,AS LONG AS WE ARE SPENDING A TRILLION DOLLARS SUPPORTING A PUPPET GOVERNMENT THEY WANT US...LOL

could you post the link to the story please

thanks

I saw that adj;

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071126/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_us

Well, looks like once again, my point is proven for me. I've said in post after post here that Iraq is nothing more than a welfare state, and the good ole U.S.of A is merrily signing those welfare checks.

And folks, as we all know, what's the #1 goal of a good lil welfare recipient, whether it's an individual, a corporation, or, as in this case, a country?

Simple: Their #1 goal is not only to keep the welfare checks coming, but also attempt to increase the amount of welfare given to them.

IRAQ: MODEL FOR GOOD LITTLE WELFARE RECIPIENTS EVERYWHERE!

I have it on ABC News.com.
Iraqis may offer US deal to stay longer By QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA,

Kat

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2007-11-26-iraq-us_N.htm